They can't sell a utilitarian Ute for $25K when you can get a V8 full sized "real truck" for the same $K.

I think they could. If the thing is being built already, there are essentially no/little development/certification costs and I think that they're aimed at different markets even if they do similar jobs.

This thing only seats two, there aren't heavy duty versions (even if this is capable as it sits), there's no 4wd option and this one sits low like a car. Truck guys like sitting high.

The plusses for it? Mileage, it drives like a car and it sits lower. Non truck guys like sitting lower.

I think they could. If the thing is being built already, there are essentially no/little development/certification costs and I think that they're aimed at different markets even if they do similar jobs.

This thing only seats two, there aren't heavy duty versions (even if this is capable as it sits), there's no 4wd option and this one sits low like a car. Truck guys like sitting high.

The plusses for it? Mileage, it drives like a car and it sits lower. Non truck guys like sitting lower.

Didn't GM already try that with the SST (or whatever it was called) retro/truck/convertible looking thing

Thought that was a failure?

I doubt they bring the Ute here. Maybe a Colorado/Canyon replacement perhaps

Car and Driver has reported that the SS will be a very short lived model, because production is set to move to N. America in 2015.5. Correcting my earlier statement, Chevy SS will move to Zeta 2 in 2015.5, not Alpha.

From C&D:

New Stuff: Two RWD Platforms On the Way

Today’s Zeta will morph into the lighter and even more flexible Zeta II for 2015, at which point the Camaro will move onto the Alpha component set also used by Cadillac’s ATS and next-gen CTS. Before that happens, though, Chevy will sell a pair of Zeta-based cars. Actually, the first of these is already on sale—if you’re a state, county, or municipal government that’s allowed to purchase imported products. (Many departments have rules that prevent them from purchasing vehicles not assembled in America.) The vehicle is the Chevrolet Caprice PPV.

The second vehicle, of course, is the most interesting. Perhaps as a way to justify future North American production of its cop car, perhaps simply because Chevy “gets it,” a civilized, civilian take on the PPV joins the model lineup next year. Wearing the SuperSport badge, the car will initially ride on the current Zeta platform and be offered exclusively as a four-door sedan. The SuperSport name and styling also will be applied to the 2013 Chevrolet NASCAR entry. The launch powerplant for the roadgoing car is expected to be the Camaro SS’s 6.2-liter V-8, pumping out something on the high side of 415 hp. A version of GM’s latest 3.6-liter V-6 will be added after the launch for the weaker of heart; we’d expect this engine to produce at least 320 hp. The SuperSport and the Caprice PPV will then migrate to the Zeta II platform in time for the 2015.5 model year. When this happens, full production will shift to North America, thereby delivering a much larger market for the cop version. In addition to the SuperSport sedan, a cropped-rear-overhang sport wagon and a Ute pickup are being considered for the North American market.

Zeta II also will be used for two Chinese-market Buicks starting in late 2014, and one or both of these cars could arrive in North American showrooms if it’s determined that brand needs large rear-drive cars. Conspicuously absent from the Zeta II plans is anything from Cadillac. That’s another story—and another platform.

Should be interesting to see what unfolds with Chevy's car line-up. I'd almost like to see the FWD Impala go away after this upcoming generation to give the Malibu and Buick brand more breathing room, and be replaced by a RWD Zeta II Impala. Then make the SS go on Alpha to allow it to be a 4-door version of the Camaro. That will give GM the volume it needs it support the Zeta II development cost.

They can't sell a utilitarian Ute for $25K when you can get a V8 full sized "real truck" for the same $K.

For $25k, it wouldn't be utilitarian. Barely any car is "utilitarian" anymore. My point is that if GM brought it over, undoubtedly they would market it as some niche offering "sport truck" that costs big bucks. It'll then flop, and everyone will fall back to the 'ol "Americans only drive big trucks" mantra.

Originally Posted by Juiced6

Didn't GM already try that with the SST (or whatever it was called) retro/truck/convertible looking thing

Thought that was a failure?

Again... The SSR (and the Baja, Blackwood, etc.) cannot be used as "trucks". These utes will do everything a half ton will do (unless you're going offroad). Need 20 sheets of 1/2" drywall? They'll handle it fine.

They can't sell a utilitarian Ute for $25K when you can get a V8 full sized "real truck" for the same $K.

Precisely.

Originally Posted by Air and water do mix

. Non truck guys like sitting lower.

Non truck guys don't buy trucks, because they don't actually need trucks. Truck guys, on the other hand, need trucks and vote with their dollars. If someone doesn't have have at least a beater truck to go with their daily driver, I don't think they need a truck enough to follow through on buying one of the jack-of-all-trades truck alternatives that get praised around here.

Last edited by Turbio!; 05-17-2012 at 10:24 PM.

IPRO Meat-Director and High Minister of Terror-Grilling

Originally Posted by Marshmallow Man

The Terror Grill: Part restaurant, part amusement attraction, part gladiator arena, all profit.

Non truck guys don't buy trucks, because they don't actually need trucks. Truck guys, on the other hand, need trucks and vote with their dollars. If someone doesn't have have at least a beater truck to go with their daily driver, I don't think they need a truck enough to follow through on buying one of the jack-of-all-trades truck alternatives that get praised around here.

Whether they're needed or not, the point stands. Their owners actually went out and bought a truck for whatever reason, and the preferences of people who actually buy trucks drive the truck market. Someone who doesn't own a truck, on the other hand, is probably not likely to start doing so just because all of a sudden they can buy one that's based on an Australian family sedan.

IPRO Meat-Director and High Minister of Terror-Grilling

Originally Posted by Marshmallow Man

The Terror Grill: Part restaurant, part amusement attraction, part gladiator arena, all profit.

Whether they're needed or not, the point stands. Their owners actually went out and bought a truck for whatever reason, and the preferences of people who actually buy trucks drive the truck market. Someone who doesn't own a truck, on the other hand, is probably not likely to start doing so just because all of a sudden they can buy one that's based on an Australian family sedan.

I would happily go buy a Ute if they were actually available. I enjoy practicality, but I also enjoy car-like handling and not feeling like I'm riding on top of a 6-foot tall sofa. The Maloo R8 is pretty much my perfect all-around vehicle, and I'd give my testicles to have one.

Would I say the same about a traditional pick-up? Not on your life.

tl;dr I have no desire to ever own a "truck", but I'd happily have a Ute.

Cause Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55, the 327 didn't come out till '62. And it wasn't offered in the Bel Air with a four-barrel carb till '64. However, in 1964, the correct ignition timing would be four degrees before top-dead-center."

Oh, a counter-offer. That's what we lawyers - I'm a lawyer - we lawyers call that a counter-offer. This is a tough decision here. Get my ass kicked or collect $200. Let me think... I could use a good ass-kickin', I'll be very honest with you... nah, I think I'll just go with the two hundred.

This car is too long in the tooth to sell good here. I predict sales flop. Rebadging the G8 was a good idea, oh I dunno...4 years ago?

I don't know about long in the tooth.. the SS SS (see what I'm getting at about stupid name?) or the performance version of the car will probably handily compete performance wise with anything else on the market in it's price range.

I think the styling is actually more attractive than many cars styled more recently... and since there are only 22,000 g8s on the road in the US most people don't even know the car much less would they say.. that looks like an old car from 2009. They will face lift it when they bring it here anyway.

The powertrain is the same thing out of the 2009 vettes and 2011 camaros... i suppose you think those cars are long in the tooth as well? I suppose the vette might be due for a refresh in a couple years.. but this is nothing compared to say the NSX's run... or many other cars.

Earlier I didn't mean to create a ****storm about the SS naming.. i never said they didn't put ss badges on the cars back in the day guys.. i mean.. we've all been to old muscle car shows and watched barrett jackson.. no one is that stupid. But I really do think there is a difference between calling a car "the camaro ss" and "the ss" it's stupid for one.. and it just asking for more negative connotation in a brand that doesn't need more negative connotation. I mean.. whatever.. most Americans that will buy the car will be too stupid to even know about WWII much less be able to name the actual people that were opening the gas canisters and operating the furnaces. I love the poster that just simply said definitively that it is not offensive while giving absolutely no justification for his opinion.. but stated it as if his opinion simply meant it was the truth.

I don't think it's all that offensive.. but on a scale... it's more offensive than naming the car Jeff, Nova, banana, chair, monkey butt... on the other hand i realize it's probably less offensive than a lot of words I could type here that would end up looking like ****. they could have picked pretty much anything else though in my opinion. For this consumer the SS badge holds little value from a long time ago that I didn't live in with ties to a dying brand.

I understand there is a heritage with the SS brand.. but.. GM needs to reinvent itself. I don't see this as a move in the right direction. offensive or not. (just the naming) as far as bringing the car over here.. they need to bring as many as they can in manual trim as fast as possible...

Earlier I didn't mean to create a ****storm about the SS naming.. i never said they didn't put ss badges on the cars back in the day guys.. i mean.. we've all been to old muscle car shows and watched barrett jackson.. no one is that stupid. But I really do think there is a difference between calling a car "the camaro ss" and "the ss" it's stupid for one.. and it just asking for more negative connotation in a brand that doesn't need more negative connotation. I mean.. whatever.. most Americans that will buy the car will be too stupid to even know about WWII much less be able to name the actual people that were opening the gas canisters and operating the furnaces. I love the poster that just simply said definitively that it is not offensive while giving absolutely no justification for his opinion.. but stated it as if his opinion simply meant it was the truth.

I don't think it's all that offensive.. but on a scale... it's more offensive than naming the car Jeff, Nova, banana, chair, monkey butt... on the other hand i realize it's probably less offensive than a lot of words I could type here that would end up looking like ****. they could have picked pretty much anything else though in my opinion. For this consumer the SS badge holds little value from a long time ago that I didn't live in with ties to a dying brand.

I understand there is a heritage with the SS brand.. but.. GM needs to reinvent itself. I don't see this as a move in the right direction. offensive or not. (just the naming) as far as bringing the car over here.. they need to bring as many as they can in manual trim as fast as possible...

“I would request that my body in death be buried not cremated, so that the energy content contained within it gets returned to the earth, so that flora and fauna can dine upon it, just as I have dined upon flora and fauna during my lifetime” - Neil deGrasse Tyson.

This car is too long in the tooth to sell good here. I predict sales flop. Rebadging the G8 was a good idea, oh I dunno...4 years ago?

The VE Commodore (Holden) came out in 2006. As we know Pontiac got their version in 2008

VE

The Version they are talking about here is VF, which does not come out in Australia until 2013
Looks like the U.S will get this car at the same time. New car, new interior which no one knows
how it will look like. Though some car magazines down this way think they have the inside scoop

So where is this thing? I thought they were going to announce it yesterday, but it's two days after the day of the announcement when they said they'd announce it tomorrow. It's the day after tomorrow already.

So where is this thing? I thought they were going to announce it yesterday, but it's two days after the day of the announcement when they said they'd announce it tomorrow. It's the day after tomorrow already.

Again... The SSR (and the Baja, Blackwood, etc.) cannot be used as "trucks". These utes will do everything a half ton will do (unless you're going offroad). Need 20 sheets of 1/2" drywall? They'll handle it fine.

I also stated that the Ute could be a replacement for the S10/Canyon/Colorado

As for the SSR (thanks SST did not sound right but i could not think of the real name) it looks like a damn truck. Built on the trailblazer platform (could be a truck). It could tow 2500-3000lbs.
GM had the right idea but missed badly.

I am not saying the Utes are bad - I am just saying GM will be very cautious before bringing something like this back.

I don't know about long in the tooth.. the SS SS (see what I'm getting at about stupid name?) or the performance version of the car will probably handily compete performance wise with anything else on the market in it's price range.

I think the styling is actually more attractive than many cars styled more recently... and since there are only 22,000 g8s on the road in the US most people don't even know the car much less would they say.. that looks like an old car from 2009. They will face lift it when they bring it here anyway.

The powertrain is the same thing out of the 2009 vettes and 2011 camaros... i suppose you think those cars are long in the tooth as well? I suppose the vette might be due for a refresh in a couple years.. but this is nothing compared to say the NSX's run... or many other cars.

Earlier I didn't mean to create a ****storm about the SS naming.. i never said they didn't put ss badges on the cars back in the day guys.. i mean.. we've all been to old muscle car shows and watched barrett jackson.. no one is that stupid. But I really do think there is a difference between calling a car "the camaro ss" and "the ss" it's stupid for one.. and it just asking for more negative connotation in a brand that doesn't need more negative connotation. I mean.. whatever.. most Americans that will buy the car will be too stupid to even know about WWII much less be able to name the actual people that were opening the gas canisters and operating the furnaces. I love the poster that just simply said definitively that it is not offensive while giving absolutely no justification for his opinion.. but stated it as if his opinion simply meant it was the truth.

I don't think it's all that offensive.. but on a scale... it's more offensive than naming the car Jeff, Nova, banana, chair, monkey butt... on the other hand i realize it's probably less offensive than a lot of words I could type here that would end up looking like ****. they could have picked pretty much anything else though in my opinion. For this consumer the SS badge holds little value from a long time ago that I didn't live in with ties to a dying brand.

I understand there is a heritage with the SS brand.. but.. GM needs to reinvent itself. I don't see this as a move in the right direction. offensive or not. (just the naming) as far as bringing the car over here.. they need to bring as many as they can in manual trim as fast as possible...

especially if it can do better than 15 mpg like the 09 gxps.

Wow; every time you post, I am constantly impressed with your stupidity...